ASGE Annual GI Advanced Practice Provider Course (Virtual) - Clinical Case-Based Learning (Day Two) | April 2023-Abnormal Imaging in GI: Tests, Clinical Significance and Impact on Management

Pdf Summary

Imaging in gastroenterology (GI) plays a significant role in the diagnosis and management of various GI conditions. Common imaging studies include ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, MRI, nuclear scans, and procedural tests like ERCP. In clinical scenarios such as dysphagia, imaging studies like video swallow and barium esophagram can identify conditions like aspiration, Zenker's diverticulum, and achalasia. Epigastric pain can be evaluated using ultrasound or abdominal CT to diagnose cholelithiasis, complicated pancreatitis, gastric volvulus, or chronic pancreatitis. Abdominal CT is also used to diagnose acute appendicitis, intestinal angioedema, and Crohn's ileitis in cases of right lower quadrant pain. Imaging studies like abdominal ultrasound, CT, MRCP, and ERCP are used to evaluate jaundice and identify conditions like biliary obstruction, pancreatic cancer, and choledocholithiasis. Imaging techniques like abdominal CT or cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan) can detect bile leaks after cholecystectomy. Nuclear bleeding scan and CT angiography are used to evaluate obscure GI bleeding. Liver lesions can be diagnosed using liver ultrasonography, triple phase liver CT, or contrast-enhanced MRI. It is important to note that imaging should complement endoscopy and primary reviews of imaging studies should be done in collaboration with radiologists whenever possible. Imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis and management of GI conditions, particularly those related to the liver and biliary tree.

Asset Subtitle

Aaron Shiels, MD FASGE

Keywords

Imaging in gastroenterology

GI conditions

ultrasound

X-ray

CT scan

MRI

nuclear scans

ERCP

dysphagia

video swallow